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The Partnerships that Built SunMine
UBCM Mid-Sized Communities Forum
September 26th, 2017
Mayor Don McCormick and CAO Scott Sommerville City of Kimberley
Overview • Kimberley’s Mining History • What is SunMine? • Why did Kimberley build SunMine? • What partnerships were involved in building SunMine? • What lessons were learned from building SunMine?
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Kimberley’s Mining History
• Kimberley was home to the world’s largest lead-zinc mine for 92 years.
• The Sullivan Mine produced $27 billion worth of ore.
• Closed in 2001 • reclamation happening since
then.
What is SunMine? • First grid-connected solar power plant in
Western Canada • 1MWp is enough to power 275 homes • 96 towers tracking the sun, with 4032 solar
panels • The electricity produced is sold to BC Hydro
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Why build SunMine? • Take
advantage of 300 days of sunshine
• Repurpose brownfield land
• Proof of concept for viability of solar in region
Brownfield to Brightfield
• Fully-remediated, Southern facing slope • Former industrial site with existing substations,
transmission lines, fencing and roads • First redevelopment of a mining site into a solar
field in Canada
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Partnership with EcoSmart: the Idea
• In 2008, the City and Teck were approached by EcoSmart, a not-for-profit organization
• EcoSmart had analyzed weather stations at airports across Canada, and determined that Kimberley had the highest solar energy in BC
• Realized that the brownfield and electrical infrastructure made for an ideal solar site
Partnership with Teck
• Provided reclaimed land and substation for SunMine
• Contributed $2M donation to the City for the project, $600K went to EcoSmart
• Teck was originally going to manage the project, but declined in the end
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• Provided $1M for the use of innovative tracking technology
• ICE Fund support the Province's energy, economic, environmental and greenhouse gas reduction priorities, and advances B.C.'s clean energy sector.
Partnership with the Province: Innovative Clean Energy (ICE) Fund
Failed Partnership with Western Economic Diversification (WD) Canada
• Partnership with Teck was re-structured to meet WD’s requirements • City was informed that priorities had changed, and that $1.6M in grant funding
had been re-allocated • Caused project to be downsized from 1.65MW to 1.05MW • Left the City scrambling for funding, led to new partnerships
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Partnership with Columbia Basin Trust (CBT)
• CBT provided a grant for $300,000 towards SunMine • Provided technical expertise from hydroelectric experience
Partnership with Jetson Consulting Engineers
• City did not possess technical capacity for constructing a solar project
• Once the City decided signed EPCM contract, we began looking for technical expertise to enhance City’s capacity
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• Signed MOU in 2016 with Aqam Band to work together to enhance the area’s economic significance
• Significant role in Ribbon-Cutting and Opening Ceremonies
• City has referred several solar opportunities their direction
• Rooftop solar on Ktunaxa Nation building
Partnership with Local First Nations
Partnership with BC Hydro • First solar project to have Electricity
Purchase Agreement with BC Hydro • Revenue from the sale of electricity has
serviced $2M debt and building reserve • Awaiting outcome of Site C review to
determine demand for expansion, and fulfilment of 2nd MW
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SunMine Surprises • Complexity of 18 Agreements • Overwhelming demand for:
• Tours • media attention • requests for advice(free consultations)
• Partnership Agreements restricted to Municipal Services
• “Fair-Market” Value
The Future is Bright for Kimberley
Questions?
Contact Information: Scott Sommerville, CAO
250-427-9668 [email protected]
• Interest in partnership on expansion • Creation of solar industry in our region
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